..

..
..
..
..

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Child Protective Services

Foster Adopt Information Packet

. . . . . . . . . .
Dear Sir or Madam:

Thank you for your recent inquiry about the Child Protective Services (CPS) Foster/Adoptive Home Development
Program. We are very excited about your interest in becoming a Foster and/or Adoptive Parent. This packet is
designed to help you learn more about our agency and our foster/adoptive home development program.

I want you to know that there are many children in need of foster (temporary) and/or adoptive (permanent) homes.
The children needing foster and adoptive homes through Child Protective Services are:

Children and youth who have been abused, neglected, and/or abandoned
Children and youth ranging in age from 0-22 years of all ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds
Siblings groups who need to be placed in the same foster or adoptive home, or who are not
placed together but need to have regular contact with each other; and
Children and youth with disabilities and special needs, including, but not limited to psychological,
medical, and physical diagnoses.

What is Foster Care?

Being a foster parent means temporarily caring for and nurturing many children over time. It also means working
as a partner, both with the agency and birth parents, in order to help reunify a child with their biological family
after the issues which caused the child to be placed into foster care are resolved.

What is Adoption?
Being an adoptive parent means making a permanent lifetime commitment to a child who was unable to be
reunified with their birth family. Adoption is rewarding for adoptive parents, and provides children an opportunity
to grow up in a loving and supportive environment.

What are the Requirements?

We understand that families have encountered struggles through their life and we encourage families that have
overcome obstacles to apply to be foster and adoptive parents. To become a foster and/or adoptive parent, you
do not have to own your own home, be married, or be rich. You do have to be able to provide a child with a safe,
nurturing, and stable environment; meet background check requirements; be financially stable; complete an
application; attend pre-service training on caring for children in CPS care; participate in a home study; and meet
other requirements applicable to the type of care you want to provide.

How Do I Get Started?

Attending an Informational Meeting is the next step to becoming a foster or adoptive parent. The purpose of this
meeting is to provide you with more information about both the children in our care and the home
verification/approval process. During the meeting, you will also have an opportunity to ask any questions you
may have. If you are interested in continuing the process after the information meeting, CPS Foster/Adoptive
Home Development (FAD) staff will provide you with an application. You may attend any one of the meetings
listed on the enclosed schedule. Information meeting schedules can also be found online at:
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Get_Started/Information_Meetings/default.asp.

If you need more information before attending a CPS Information Meeting, I am here to assist you. Please do not
hesitate to contact me at Phone number, extension. Thank you very much for considering opening your heart and
home to the life of a child in need.

Sincerely,

Foster/Adoptive Home Development Worker

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
CHILDREN WAITING FOR HOMES & DISPROPORTIONALITY
Disproportionality exists when a certain ethnic, racial, or cultural group is represented at a higher rate in
the system than in the general public. Texas has a disproportionate number of African-American children
involved its child welfare system. Texas is not alone. National data also shows that African-American
families and children have different outcomes through the child welfare system than other groups.

Because of disproportionality:
African American children spend more time in care than other children.
African American children wait longer for adoption than other children.
African American children age out of foster care without an adoptive family or permanent
placement more at a higher rate than other children.

Texas is making changes to address disproportionality. Through legislation, CPS has been given
resources and direction to train and recruit staff and transform its programs. As a result we are increasing
recruitment of foster and adoptive parents to meet the needs of children in our care and creating
collaborative community partnerships to provide culturally competent services.

How you can help:.

Be aware.
Children of color enter the system too often and stay in the system too long. Understand the
1
impact this has on the long-term health of all communities, especially communities of color .

Speak out.
You have important things to say and every right to participate in the discussion. If you arent
able to foster, consider serving as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) to help young
people in foster care navigate the judicial system or mentoring youth in care1.

Demand change.
When you become aware of institutions with policies that negatively affect an ethnic, cultural, or
racial group, demand change from those in power. Insist that those in power address
disproportionality in child welfare1.
1 Adapted from Casey Family Programs at http://www.casey.org/OurWork/Disproportionality

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
Pre-service training is training provided to prospective foster and adoptive parents before they receive a
home verification or approval.

PARENT RESOURCE INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION (PRIDE)

Pre-service training is required for all prospective Child Protective Services (CPS) foster and adoptive
parents. CPS uses Parent Resource Information Development Education (PRIDE) as its pre-service
training curriculum. All prospective foster and adoptive parents must participate to learn more about
parenting children who have been abused and neglected and the child welfare system.

Texas PRIDE is a 35-hour, competency-based, training program that is co-trained by an agency staff
member and a foster or adoptive parent. PRIDE sessions include, but are not limited to, child
attachment, loss and grief, infant and child development, discipline and behavior intervention, effects of
abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, working with the child welfare system, working as a team, and the
effects of fostering and adopting on the family.

ADDITIONAL PRE-SERVICE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES

Prospective foster families must complete these additional pre-service training and certification
requirements that may or may not be provided by Child Protective Services:

Communicable Disease Training

Infant, child, and adult CPR Certification
First Aid Certification
Water Safety Training (if there is a pool or body of water on the premises)
Psychotropic Medication Training (if the home will administer psychotropic medications)

ANNUAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES

Foster homes must receive a certain number of training hours each year, depending on the number of
foster parents and type(s) of children in their home. The total ranges from 20 hours per family to 30 hours
per foster parent. Trainings are available through many avenues, including local foster parent
associations, the Texas Foster Family Association, and Child Protective Services.

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAMS

Child Protective Services is a division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
The mission of Child Protective Services (CPS) Program is Children First: Safe and Secure. CPS
understands the need for preventive and supportive services in the community, and staff are committed to
developing resources and agreements to help families before abuse and neglect occurs. CPS also
understands the need to protect children and find permanent solutions for them after they have been abused
and neglected. Staff work cooperatively with other DFPS programs, other state and local agencies, the
private child welfare sector, and the voluntary service agencies. This document provides an overview of each
of CPSs programs that provide services .

Investigations
After a person reports child abuse or neglect, the Statewide Intake hotline assigns it to CPS staff who
interview children, parents, and others who know about the family. CPS uses these interviews to determine if
child abuse or neglect has occurred and assess the risk of further harm to the child. If criminal conduct is
involved, law enforcement may investigate at the same time to determine if criminal charges will be filed.
Even if evidence of abuse or neglect is not found, caseworkers may refer families to services in the
community. These services include individual or family therapy, parenting classes, or programs offering
financial assistance for utilities, rent, and child care, instead of removing them from the home to place with
relatives or in foster care.

Family Based Safety Services (FBSS)

When child safety can be reasonably assured, CPS provides in-home services to help stabilize the family and
reduce the risk of future abuse or neglect. Services provided include family counseling, crisis intervention,
parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and child care. Most children served through FBSS continue
to live at home while the agency works with their families. In some cases, children may live elsewhere
temporarily, usually with relatives or family friends, until the home becomes safe enough for them to return.

Substitute Care
When it isnt safe for children to live with their own families, DFPS petitions the court to provide for their
safety. The child(ren) may be placed temporarily with relatives, a verified CPS foster family, a verified private
agency foster family, an emergency shelter, a residential treatment center, or another type of agency or
facility. CPS actively recruits foster and adoptive families through national, state, and regional campaigns.
Examples include Foster Care Month (May), Adoption Awareness Month (November), the Why Not Me?
Campaign, and the CHILD (Congregations Helping in Love and Dedication) program.

Kinship Care
Kinship care, a type of substitute care, is out-of-home care provided by caregivers who are either related to
the child by blood, marriage or adoption, or have a significant long-standing relationship with the child and
his/her family. Under this program, eligible families are able to receive financial assistance to help integrate
their kin children into their homes.

Adoption Services
When it is not possible for a child to return home, the court may terminate the parents rights to make the child
legally eligible for adoption. DFPS certifies adoptive homes and contracts with licensed private child-placing
agencies to increase the number of adoptive homes available to adopt foster children. At the end of Fiscal
Year (FY) 2010, 6,026 children were legally free and waiting for adoptive homes. The number of children
adopted in FY 2010 was 4,716.

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE)
The Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE) provides information on children waiting for adoption by
posting photos, profiles, and videos on the Internet at www.adoptchildren.org. TARE participates in national
recruitment campaigns with national adoption organizations, and works with national websites, such as
AdoptUsKids, that are willing to place Texas childrens profiles on their websites.

TARE also allows adoptive families and individuals across the United States who have approved adoptive
home studies to register with TARE and save their preferences for adopting children. Then those families are
available in a database CPS staff use to search for adoptive families for children on their caseload.

Adoption Support Services

Adopted children who have suffered abuse or neglect often need help coping with their history and the loss of
their birth family. DFPS contracts with private agencies to provide post-adoption services to adopted children
and their families. Services include casework, mental health, therapeutic services, parent training, support
groups, and respite care for adoptive parents. Adoption Assistance in the form of a monthly stipend and
medical insurance benefit may be provided for children who meet the following definition of special needs:
Age 2 years and older and a member of a minority group
Age 6 and older and a member of any racial/ethnic group
Children in sibling groups who are adopted together
Child(ren) with diagnosed medical or emotional needs

Preparation for Adult Living

The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) helps make the transition to adulthood successful for youth in foster
care. PAL services include independent living assessment, time-limited financial help, and training in such
areas as money management, job skills, educational planning and interpersonal skills. Thousands of youths,
ages 14 through 20, participate in the PAL program. PAL youth are also offered with opportunities to identify
caring adults (including birth family) who can provide them with ongoing encouragement and support
throughout adulthood. These adults then participate in conferences where the group develops a plan that will
assist the youth in maximizing opportunities for successful transition to independent living.

Family Group Decision Making

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) is the process used to engage families in making decisions and
developing a plan for services for use at various times throughout an ongoing services case. This process
involves recognizing family strengths during the development of a plan for services , for meeting safety, well-
being and permanency goals for the child.

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Summary of the 12-month Court Process for Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
Step 1: The court will hold an Emergency Hearing regarding parent-child relationship. The court
determines if the child will be returned to the parents or to state care (Temporary Managing
Conservatorship). (Texas Family Code, Chapter 262, Subchapter B)

Step 2: If the child hasnt been returned to the parents, the court will hold a Show Cause Hearing within
two weeks. At this hearing, the state will present its findings. The court will determine if the child
will be returned to the parent or is to remain in state care. The court may issue instructions to the
parents about what changes they must make. (Texas Family Code, Chapter 262.201)

Step 3: If the child hasnt been returned to the parents, the court will hold a Status Hearing 60 days later
to determine the status and what progress the parents have made. (Texas Family Code,
Chapters 263.201-202)

Step 4: If the child hasnt been returned to the parents, the court will hold an Initial Permanency six
months after the Emergency Hearing (see Step 1 above) to determine the status and what
progress the parents have made. (Texas Family Code, Chapter 263.304)

Step 5: If the child hasnt been returned to the parents, the court will hold a Permanency Hearing 10
months after the Emergency Hearing (see Step 1 above) to determine the status and what
progress the parents have made. (Texas Family Code, Chapter 263.305)

Step 6: If the child hasnt been returned to the parents, the court will hold a hearing near the year
anniversary of the Emergency Hearing (see Step 1 above) to determine the status and what
progress the parents have made. (Texas Family Code, Chapters 263.401-402)

After these hearings

children are returned to parents or relatives on a permanent basis and the case is dismissed,
children are returned to parents or relatives on a temporary basis and the court holds hearings every
six months to determine the status,
the court terminates parental rights, or
the court may issue a six month extension to keep children in state care, then hold a hearing.

If children remain in state care, the court may hold hearings every six months for a maximum of 30
months to determine status and what progress the parents have made.

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
 TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
RESOURCES

Texas Resources

Statewide Foster Care and Adoption Inquiry Line.. 1-800-233-3405

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE)www.adoptchildren.org

TARE Help... 1-800-233-3405
Texas Foster Family Association.www.tffa.org

National Resources
Adopt America Network..... www.adoptamericanetwork.com
Adoption.com Photo Listing.. www.adoption.com
Adoption Resource Exchange for Single Parents.www.aresp.org
Casey Family Programswww.casey.org
Child Welfare Information Gateway... www.childwelfare.gov
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)..www.cwla.org
The Collaboration to AdoptUSKids......www.adoptuskids.org
Family Pride Coalition (non-traditional adoption) www.familypride.org
Fostering Families Today...www.fosteringfamiliestoday.com
National Adoption Center..www.adopt.org
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.. http://naic.acf.hhs.gov
National American Council on Adoptable Children..www.nacac.org
National Foster Parent Association..www.nfpainc.org
National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning
www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp
National Resource Center for Special Needs Adoptionwww.nrcadoption.org

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOSTER/ADOPTIVE HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM